Machine for the manufacture of a multistrand cable

ABSTRACT

A machine for manufacturing a multistrand cable and comprising means for guiding a plurality of wires toward each other, means for temporarily positioning the wires so guided and means for permanently binding the plurality of wires so as to form a cable. The means for temporarily positioning the plurality of wires comprises an endless clamping strap which traverses the cable for only a small number of turns, the strap continually rotating around the axis of the cable.

United States Patent I Inventor Constant Bienfait Delft, NetherlandsAppl. No. 789,819 Filed Jan. 8, 1969 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 Assignee N.V. Nederlandsche Kabelfabrieken Delft, Netherlands Priority Jan. 11,1968 Netherlands 6800434 MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A MULTISTRANDCABLE 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 57/ 13, 57/34, 57/59 1nt.Cl D07b 7/02, HOlb 13/02, B65h 81/08Field of Search 57/3, 10,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,251,179 5/1966 Reichelt57/77.3 X 3,000,167 9/1961 Pierce, Jr 57/3 3,362,149 1/1968Holinbeck.... 57/34 3,362,150 1/1968 Paquette et al.. 57/34 3,406,23110/1968 Ullman et a1. 57/3 X Primary Examiner-John PetrakesAttorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher ABSTRACT: A machine formanufacturing a multistrand cable and comprising means for guiding aplurality of wires toward each other, means for temporarily positioningthe wires so guided and means for permanently binding the plurality ofwires so as to form a cable. The means for temporarily positioning theplurality of wires comprises an endless clamping strap which traversesthe cable for only a small number of turns, the strap continuallyrotating around the axis of the cable.

memium 41972 3,631,662

SHEET 1 BF 2 4 FLMM INVENTOR CD/VJT'flI/T BIE/ FHIT ATTORNEYSPATENTEDJAN 4!.972 3,531,552

saw 2 or 2 Fig E INVENTOR CONITRIVT BIEIVFH IT ATTORNEY S MACHINE FORTHE MANUFACTURE OF A MULTISTRAND CABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Theinvention relates to a machine for manufacturing a cable with means forguiding a plurality of wires towards each other, means for providing anS and/or 2" lay in the wires so guided and means for holding togetherthe wires that have been laid and for traversing the cable thusobtained.

Similar machines are known in various forms. When making load cables,wires are laid continuously according to 8" or Z" lay. In themanufacture of current conducting cables it is known to obtain acombination of S" and 2" lays by rotating a wire guiding disc inalternate directions. The wires so laid are arranged around a coreaccording to a three-dimensional serpentine pattern. The wires aregenerally held in their position by a helically wound binding strap.

Machines for manufacturing cables or strands having parallel runningwires enclosed in a sheath are also well known.

In all of these known machines guide nipples are generally used forguiding the wires towards each other. Such guide nipples are necessaryparticularly when the wires are laid according to a three-dimensionalserpentine pattern, Le, a combination of S" or Z lay. I-Iigh frictionalforces occur in such nipples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention isto provide means for holding together the wires that have been laid in amanner wherein the above-noted frictional forces are avoided and whereintorsional stresses are controlled in a more favorable way.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing meansfor holding together the wires which have been laid, said means takingthe form of an endless strap clamping the cable over a portion thereofand running helically around same. The strap encloses the wires at theirmeeting point and keeps them together for a time sufficient forarranging the helical binding wire or binding strip, the latter beingsupplied between the windings of the clamping strap. Therefore, thebinding wire or binding strip is supplied at the position where theclamping takes place, the most favorable position. During thelongitudinal movement of the cable, the strap performs a circularmovement. As, however, frictional forces occur between the strap and thesurface of the cable, the guide rollers of the clamping strap arepreferably located on an element placed in coaxial relationship with thecable, said element being rotatable around said cable and, if desired,driven by external means.

The rotatable element which carries the guide rollers, hereafter termedthe spinner, makes it possible to perform a winding movement of theclamping strap around the moving cable so that said strap fulfills onlythe clamping function; no longitudinal forces being developed relativeto the cable and, consequently, only slight frictional forces occurbetween the clamping strap and the cable. As a matter of course, therate of circulation of the spinner is adapted to the velocity ofmovement of the cable; and thusly the ratio between velocity of movementof the cable and the rate of circulation of the spinner determines thepitch of the clamping strap on the cable. In this way, a means isprovided which fully replaces the cable nipple and does so in a mannersubstantially free from frictional forces. Another advantage inherent inthe device of the present invention resides in the fact that with cablescomprising wires running according to a three-dimensional serpentinepattern, the binding wire, necessary for holding the wires together, maybe located at the most favorable position.

In accordance with a further development of the clamping strap, it ispossible to independently drive at least one of the guide rollers of theclamping strap. It is then possible to create a torsional force in thecable independent of that force resulting from the rotation of thespinner. In this way, it is possible to create an added torsional forcein the cable which either adds to or subtracts from other torsionalforces present therein. The drive of the guide roller may take the formof an element rotatably mounted on the spinner. In this way, the driveis realized in an uncomplex manner.

It is contemplated that the machine of the present invention be providedwith numerous driving mechanisms. More particularly, there are provideda driving motor for the spinner, a drive mechanism for the clampingstrap, a drive mechanism for controlling the movement of the cable, anda drive mechanism for the wire guiding wobble disc, said disc beingrotatable in alternate directions.

According to the invention, a planetary or similarly functioning drivemechanism such as a differential gear may be provided, one branch beingconnected to a motor which may also drive the cable conveyor, the secondbranch being connected to a motor which may rotate the spinner, and thethird branch being coupled to the driving means for the clamping strap.As a consequence, it is therefore possible to realize various operatingconditions in an uncomplex manner. Variable transmissions are preferablyarranged between the motors and the planetary driving mechanism.Stepless transmissions are preferred since they make it possible to setthe number of revolutions of two branches of a planetary transmission asdesired, thus influencing the number of revolutions of the third branchin such a way that the desired speed of the clamping strap can beadapted to the speed of the spinner and the rate of displacement of thecable.

In addition, the machine of the present invention is provided withcouplings for disengaging certain parts of the driving mechanism.According to the invention, provisions are made so that the spinner maybe independently driven by the motor of the cable conveyor. This isdesired where it is necessary that the clamping strap make a winding andan unwinding movement, almost frictionlessly, around the cable, thusreplacing the function of the previously used nipple.

In addition to the above, the machine is preferably manufactured in sucha way that when a wobble disc is used, the driving mechanism of same canbe easily engaged and disengaged. It is then possible to have thetorsional operation of the clamping strap and the wobble disc occurindependently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of theclamping strap portion of a cable winding machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention; and,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a cable winding illustrating numerousoperational modes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The machine illustrated in FIG. I shows awobble disc I which can be rotated in alternate directions by drivingmeans (not shown), said disc being provided with a number of openings(not shown) for guiding wires 2 around a core 3 according to athree-dimensional serpentine pattern, i.e., according to a combined S"Z"lay. The core is supplied through the center of the wobble disc 2 and ismoved with a speed corresponding to that of the cable 4, the cable beingtraversed by endless belts carried by members 5 and 6.

Concentric with the wobble disc 1 is a disc 7, said disc 7 being capableof rotation in the direction of arrow 8. The disc 7 carries rods 9, l0and 10 which carry, respectively, guide rollers ll, 12 and 13. A device14 for providing the cable with a helical running binding strap 15 isalso carried by rod 9.

A relatively wide strip 16 runs around the rollers ll, 12, and 13; thestrip being indicated on the cable at 17. The strip 16 helically wrapsthe cable only in a localized area and grips the wires 2 running towardeach other. Consequently, the correct shape of lay is readily securedand the binding strap is positioned at the time when and in the areawhere the wires 2 are pressed together. The result of the spinnerrotation is that the rear region 16a of the strip 16 winds on the cablewhile the front region 16b unwinds. By correctly adjusting the angularvelocity of the spinner and the velocity of movement of the cable, theclamping strap is wound and unwound substantially free from frictionalforces. A variation of these factors, namely, the velocity of movementof the cable and the angular velocity of the spinner, makes it possibleto create certain torsional stresses in the cable, to prevent same or tocreate a stabilization ett'ect.

According to the invention, this torsional adjustment may be realized bydriving one or more of the guide rollers associated with the clampingstrap. Such a provision of drive means makes it possible to use as avariable the velocity of movement of the clamping strap in addition tothe abovenoted variables formed by the rate of displacement of the cableand the angular velocity of the spinner. The velocity of movement of theclamping strap may thus perform a positive or a negative twistingoperation on the cable.

With reference now to FIG. 2, there is shown the wobble disc 1comprising the guide eyes for the wires 2 and the core 3. There is alsoshown the spinner 7 with rods 9 and 10 appended thereto and the guiderollers ll, 12 and 13 for the clamping strap 16. The rods 9 and 10 areelongated so that they extend past both guide rollers 12 and i3, a ringbeing rotatably mounted on these elongations. Ring 20 may be driven viaa belt 21 or the like and is coupled to a second ring 22. A drivingstrap 24 runs over the ring 22 and then continues, via comer conveyors23 on the spinner, over wheels 25 which are coupled to the guide rollers12 and 13 of the strip 16. In this manner, a drive of the clamping strap16 is achieved.

FIG. 2 also shows a main motor 26 which drives the belt conveyors 5 and6 via the belt transmission 27. Motor 26 may also provide the drive forthe wobble disc 1 via a belt transmission 28, a worm and worm geartransmission 29 which converts a rotary movement into a reciprocatingmovement of an arm 30 and, consequently, of the rod 31 and the rack 32,the rack being connected to the wobble disc 1 by driving gear parts 33,34 and the coupling 35. By operating the coupling 35, the wobble disccan be stopped and rotated continuously in alternate directions.

While the direct drive of the spinner 7 is made possible through themain motor 26 by way of the belt transmission 36, the coupling 37 andthe belt transmissions 38 and 39, a separate spinner motor 40 isprovided for driving the spinner.

The main motor 26 is also coupled to a sun wheel 42 of a planetarytransmission 43 via a stepless variable transmission 41. Via anotherstepless variable transmission 44 the spinner motor 40 is connected tothe outer set of teeth 45 of the planetary transmission 43. in thismanner, satellites 46 may operate on the drive of the clamping strap 20including wheels 25 via the belt transmission 47 and the coupling 48.

Such a mechanism as that described above permits various drivingconditions. The most normal driving condition is that in which the mainmotor 26 drives the belt conveyors 5 and 6 and, consequently, controlsthe motion of the cable 4, motor 26 also driving the spinner 7 so thatthe clamping strap 16 performs its normal function. In such an operatingcondition, the wobble disc functions normally and the couplings 35 and37 are, therefore, engaged while the coupling 48 is disengaged.

Various other operating conditions are possible. If the coupling 37 isdisengaged, the spinner 7 not being driven by the main motor 26 or motor40, spinner rotation can be halted. As the cable then moves along, theclamping strap 16 follows so that said strap runs in a directionopposite to that in which it runs when the spinner is driven. At thesame time there occurs a twisting of the cable due to the operation ofthe wobble disc 1 and in response to the engagement or disengagement ofthe coupling 35. The coupling 48 may also be engaged in which conditionthe clamping strap, driven in the properly set ratio, would create atorsion in the cable.

Another operational possibility contemplates driving the spinner motor40 either constantly in one direction or alternately in oppositedirections. in this mode, the wobble disc is free running but theclamping strap is driven. it is therefore possible t9 twist a cable witha low torsional force acting in alernate directions. The extent of thedrive of the clamping strap is thus derived from the adjustment of thetransmissions 41 and 44 relative to the speed of the spinner and therate of displacement of the cable.

in addition to the above, it is possible to add to the latter conditionof operation the drive of the wobble disc by engaging the coupling 35.The result is that the wobble movement is superimposed on the wobblemovement caused by the other parts of the driving mechanism, thismovement being performed via the clamping strap associated with saiddriving mechanism.

The herein given details of a preferred embodiment are given by way ofillustration only and are not intended to be limitative of the scope ofthe invention; it being understood that all modifications andsubstitutions of either an obvious nature or well within the purview ofone skilled in the art are intended to be covered by the scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine for manufacturing an elongated multistrand cable of thetype comprising means for guiding a plurality of wires toward eachother, means for temporarily positioning said plurality of wires incable form and means for permanentiy securing said plurality of wires,the plurality of wires and said securing means forming the multistrandcable, and cable conveyor means to move the formed cable, theimprovement being that the means for temporarily positioning theplurality of wires comprises an endless clamping strap helicallytraversing the cable for only a portion of its elongated dimension, aplurality of guide rollers spatially positioned around said cable, saidclamping strap passing about and being guided by said plurality of guiderollers, a mounting element rotatably positioned in a coaxialrelationship with said cable and having said guide rollers mountedthereon, a three-branch driving mechanism, a first drive means formingthe first branch and driving said cable conveyor, a second drive meansdriving said rotatable mounting element and its mociated guide rollersand forming the second branch, and a third drive means forming the thirdbranch and driving said clamping strap.

2. The invention of claim 1, further comprising variable transmissionmeans intennediate each said drive means and the associated branch ofsaid three-branch driving mechanism.

3. The machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the rotatable mountingelement is adapted to be driven by the first drive means.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1, further comprising wobble discmeans for controliing the manner in which said plurality of wires aretemporarily positioned, drive means independent of said drivingmechanism for driving said wobble disc means in alternate directions.

1. A machine for manufacturing an elongated multistrand cable of thetype comprising means for guiding a plurality of wires toward eachother, means for temporarily positioning said plurality of wires incable form and means for permanently securing said plurality of wires,the plurality of wires and said securing means forming the multistrandcable, and cable conveyor means to move the formed cable, theimprovement being that the means for temporarily positioning theplurality of wires comprises an endless clamping strap helicallytraversing the cable for only a portion of its elongated dimension, aplurality of guide rollers spatially positioned around said cable, saidclamping strap passing about and being guided by said plurality of guiderollers, a mounting element rotatably positioned in a coaxialrelationship with said cable and having said guide rollers mountedthereon, a three-branch driving mechanism, a first drive means formingthe first branch and driving said cable conveyor, a second drive meansdriving said rotatable mounting element and its associated guide rollersand forming the second branch, and a third drive means forming the thirdbranch and driving said clamping strap.
 2. The invention of claim 1,further comprising variable transmission means intermediate each saiddrive means and the associated branch of said three-branch drivingmechanism.
 3. The machIne as recited in claim 1, wherein the rotatablemounting element is adapted to be driven by the first drive means. 4.The invention as set forth in claim 1, further comprising wobble discmeans for controlling the manner in which said plurality of wires aretemporarily positioned, drive means independent of said drivingmechanism for driving said wobble disc means in alternate directions.